Debra and Jennifer Abbott-Walker
Fairfield, Conn.
The couple: The Abbott-Walkers met on a dating website in 2009 and got hitched in Connecticut a year later.
Debra, 44, has an adopted son barely age 5 from a previous relationship. And she and Jennifer have a 9-month-old son.
Debra is a recruiter at Prudential, while Jennifer recently left her job as a medical assistant to be a stay-at-home mom.
Financial impact: Since Debra's income is much higher than Jennifer's, they will save about $1,500 a year by filing their federal taxes jointly. Plus, they will no longer owe the extra $1,000 in tax they've been paying on the health benefits Jennifer receives from Debra's health insurance plan.
Their total savings is about $2,500 per year. And Debra is especially thankful that, if something happens to her, Jennifer and their son will now receive survivor benefits.
"[The DOMA decision] was an absolute relief," said Debra. "I was home with my wife and son, and we all held hands and held our breath as we watched [the news] and then cried -- it's a day that will stick in my mind forever."
